Local News

Lexington Mayor Evelyn Reece (right) and Jill Severn, Lexington’s mayor pro tem, examine the traffic map at the county comprehensive plan open house at the Historic Crawford Depot on Jan. 20. The map shows 2025 traffic patterns and traffic incidents along major roads in the county. (BRIDGET GOODMAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Lexington Mayor Evelyn Reece (right) and Jill Severn, Lexington’s mayor pro tem, examine the traffic map at the county comprehensive plan open house at the Historic Crawford Depot on Jan. 20. The map shows 2025 traffic patterns and traffic incidents along major roads in the county. (BRIDGET GOODMAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Officials discuss comprehensive plan

Bridget Goodman
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
A couple dozen Oglethorpe County residents gathered at the Historic Crawford Depot on Jan. 20 to weigh in on how their county should prepare for 2046.
Interior repairs are being made to downtown Lexington buildings. Rick Hawkins owns the buildings and currently listing via Facebook Marketplace. (Photo/Finley Millwood)

Interior repairs are being made to downtown Lexington buildings. Rick Hawkins owns the buildings and currently listing via Facebook Marketplace. (Photo/Finley Millwood)

Hawkins’ buildings back on the market

Finley Millwood
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Repairs have been made to two of the four buildings owned by Rick Hawkins, and five of his buildings in Lexington are back on the market.  The buildings at 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 W. Main St. are listed for sale on Hawkins’ Facebook Marketplace, with descriptions of each building.
Alan Erwin is sworn in as the mayor of Crawford earlier this month. He took over Seavy O’Neal, who didn’t run for reelection last year. (Submitted Photo)

Alan Erwin is sworn in as the mayor of Crawford earlier this month. He took over Seavy O’Neal, who didn’t run for reelection last year. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County mayors prioritize clean cities for 2026

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
A clean city is the priority for Crawford Mayor Alan Erwin in 2026.  “We just want to get our city back up to par, cleaned up, and well maintained to where people that live in the city of Crawford are proud of their surroundings, as well as myself,” he said.
Joseph Williams (left) and Dustin Wood have known each other for over 20 years, since serving in the Navy together. Wood will manage Williams’ Papa Joey’s Collectibles when it opens in Lexington next month. (Submitted Photo)

Joseph Williams (left) and Dustin Wood have known each other for over 20 years, since serving in the Navy together. Wood will manage Williams’ Papa Joey’s Collectibles when it opens in Lexington next month. (Submitted Photo)

Vessel Barn to become a gaming, trading card store

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Vessel Barn, in Lexington’s Oak Tree Plaza, is undergoing renovations this month for its transition to Papa Joey’s Collectibles.
Jill Barnes, a teacher at Oglethorpe County Middle School, takes notes for her group at the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15. Different topics were put at the top of each noteboard for those in attendance to discuss. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Jill Barnes, a teacher at Oglethorpe County Middle School, takes notes for her group at the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15. Different topics were put at the top of each noteboard for those in attendance to discuss. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Input session gives feedback for search

Neva Drane
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Administration, teachers, students and Oglethorpe County residents attended the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15, where they worked together to answer questions regarding the goals and qualities of the new superintendent.
Peggy Spencer (from left), Corrine Thiel, Deanna Warren and Virginia Sanders smile after completing a donation at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in December. It was their largest, with more than 200 pajama packs, 300 hats and 300 love worms. (Submitted Photo)

Peggy Spencer (from left), Corrine Thiel, Deanna Warren and Virginia Sanders smile after completing a donation at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in December. It was their largest, with more than 200 pajama packs, 300 hats and 300 love worms. (Submitted Photo)

Giving back: Local groups make impact with gifts for kids in hospital

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
For Corrine Thiel, working with the Oglethorpe County Lions Club to donate to pediatric patients at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center is deeply personal.  Thiel’s grandson, Alexander, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at age six.
Drivers who belong to the Bulldog British Classics Car Club and their cars travel throughout Oglethorpe County and the surrounding counties. The club includes about 200 members. (Photo/GARY WHITING)

Drivers who belong to the Bulldog British Classics Car Club and their cars travel throughout Oglethorpe County and the surrounding counties. The club includes about 200 members. (Photo/GARY WHITING)

Local club keeps British cars, camaraderie alive

Neva Drane
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
On Saturday mornings, residents can often spot a pack of British classic cars winding along the quiet backroads of Oglethorpe County or pulling into the Rowdy Rooster. A 1949 MG TC driven by Terry Allen, the founder of the Bulldog British Classics Car Club, is among this club’s caravan of cars.
Oglethorpe County commissioners are (from left): Andy Saxon, David Clark, Howard Sanders, Will Brown and Tracy Norman. They unanimously voted to pass the new rules of decorum on Jan. 5. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Oglethorpe County commissioners are (from left): Andy Saxon, David Clark, Howard Sanders, Will Brown and Tracy Norman. They unanimously voted to pass the new rules of decorum on Jan. 5. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Commissioners set new rules for meeting behavior

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The rules of decorum unanimously approved at last week’s Board of Commissioners meeting were passed to help establish “orderly, respectful and efficient conduct of all public meetings.”  The rules were posted to Oglethorpe County’s website after two edits, requested by commissioners, were made.
Assistant Superintendent Kanya Cornish gives a presentation about Oglethorpe County’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) at the BOE meeting on Tuesday night. OCHS’ score jumped to 71.6 from 58.7. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Assistant Superintendent Kanya Cornish gives a presentation about Oglethorpe County’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) at the BOE meeting on Tuesday night. OCHS’ score jumped to 71.6 from 58.7. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Schools increase key performance scores in 2025

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Oglethorpe County High School demonstrated significant growth in 2025, as reflected in a rapid improvement in its College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), which increased from 58.7 to 71.6.